Florida Native’s Move to L.A. Turns Into a Big Event

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Growing up within miles of Orlando, Fla.’s Walt Disney World and Universal Studios, Rebecca Pontius always suspected she might end up working in the theme park industry.

Though she flirted with a career in public relations, Pontius’ journey into theme park entertainment began when she relocated to Los Angeles in 2002. Fresh out of college, with a degree in advertising and public relations from the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Pontius was looking for adventure but found herself without a job.

“I never envisioned myself (being) here for eight years,” she said of her move to Los Angeles.

But when she was offered a position that year with Utopia Entertainment, a Newhall firm that designs and produces themed attractions, live shows and special events, she gladly accepted.

Recently, Pontius took on a larger role with Utopia as director of special projects. In her new position, she will oversee the planning and execution of the company’s two arms, theme park entertainment and event planning, for clients such as Universal Studios Hollywood and Sea World in San Diego.

“We’ll do everything from day one all the way through opening day, and then we’ll operate the event,” she said.

One previous project the firm worked on was Universal Studios Hollywood’s Back to the Future: The Ride. Utopia provided technical direction for the live-show elements of the attraction based on the hit movie.

Last year, Pontius helped Utopia organize Beverly Hills’ annual December holiday program, complete with a tree-lighting ceremony and family festival. This year, she will oversee the entire event.

Her experience working as a media liaison during the 2000 and 2002 Olympics in Sydney, Australia, and Salt Lake City, Utah, gave her an understanding of how to operate large-scale events.

Even in her personal life, Pontius enjoys taking an event planning role.

“I’ve always been the social event coordinator,” she said.

Outside the office, Pontius is heavily involved in the organization of Los Angeles Guerilla Gardening. The association of volunteer gardeners pinpoints areas in Los Angeles that need beautification and revamps them overnight.

“We really liked the idea and concept of taking ownership of the community and beautifying the area,” said Pontius, who admitted that she hated pulling weeds as a child.

Pontius, 30, is single and lives in Santa Monica. In her spare time, she competes on a water polo team.

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